EPA awards $233M R&D contract for homeland and cybersecurity tech to Research Triangle Institute

Contract Overview

Contract Amount: $233,014 ($233.0K)

Contractor: Research Triangle Institute

Awarding Agency: Environmental Protection Agency

Start Date: 2024-02-13

End Date: 2026-06-11

Contract Duration: 849 days

Daily Burn Rate: $274/day

Competition Type: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS

Sector: R&D

Official Description: NEW TASK ORDER UNDER STREAMS IV NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR HOMELAND SECURITY AND CYBERSECURITY APPLICATIONS

Place of Performance

Location: DURHAM, DURHAM County, NORTH CAROLINA, 27709

State: North Carolina Government Spending

Plain-Language Summary

Environmental Protection Agency obligated $233,014 to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE for work described as: NEW TASK ORDER UNDER STREAMS IV NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR HOMELAND SECURITY AND CYBERSECURITY APPLICATIONS Key points: 1. Contract focuses on advanced R&D for critical homeland and cybersecurity applications. 2. Research Triangle Institute, a known R&D entity, is the selected contractor. 3. The contract is structured as a Time and Materials award, which can pose cost control challenges. 4. This task order falls under the broader STREAMS IV contract vehicle. 5. The duration of 849 days suggests a significant, multi-year research effort. 6. The contract is for Research and Development in Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. 7. No small business set-aside was applied to this specific task order.

Value Assessment

Rating: fair

The contract value of $233 million over approximately 2.3 years represents a substantial investment in R&D. Benchmarking this specific task order's value is difficult without knowing the scope of work within the STREAMS IV vehicle. However, Time and Materials contracts inherently carry higher risk for cost overruns compared to fixed-price awards. The agency will need to closely monitor labor hours and material costs to ensure value for money.

Cost Per Unit: N/A

Competition Analysis

Competition Level: full-and-open

This task order was awarded under full and open competition, indicating that multiple offerors had the opportunity to bid. The specific details of the competition, such as the number of bids received, are not provided in the data. However, a full and open competition generally promotes a competitive environment, which can lead to better pricing and innovative solutions.

Taxpayer Impact: A full and open competition is favorable for taxpayers as it maximizes the pool of potential contractors, increasing the likelihood of receiving competitive bids and potentially lower prices.

Public Impact

The primary beneficiaries are likely federal agencies requiring advanced homeland and cybersecurity technologies, including potentially the Department of Homeland Security. The contract will deliver research and development services focused on cutting-edge technological solutions. The geographic impact is primarily centered in North Carolina, where Research Triangle Institute is located, but the technologies developed could have national implications. The contract will support specialized R&D workforce, including scientists, engineers, and cybersecurity experts.

Waste & Efficiency Indicators

Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10

Warning Flags

Time and Materials (T&M) contract type introduces potential for cost escalation if not closely managed.
The broad R&D nature of the contract may present challenges in defining clear deliverables and performance metrics upfront.
Reliance on a single task order under a larger vehicle might concentrate risk if STREAMS IV encounters issues.

Positive Signals

Award to a known R&D entity like Research Triangle Institute suggests a focus on expertise and capability.
Full and open competition indicates a robust selection process that considered multiple potential providers.
The contract addresses critical national security needs in cybersecurity and homeland security.

Sector Analysis

This contract falls within the Research and Development sector, specifically focusing on physical, engineering, and life sciences. The market for cybersecurity and homeland security technologies is a rapidly growing segment within the broader technology and defense industries. Spending in this area is driven by evolving threats and the need for advanced technological countermeasures. Comparable spending benchmarks would typically be found within R&D budgets of agencies like DHS, DOD, and intelligence community.

Small Business Impact

This contract was not awarded as a small business set-aside. There is no explicit information provided regarding subcontracting plans for small businesses. Without this information, it is difficult to assess the direct impact on the small business ecosystem for this specific task order, though larger prime contractors often utilize small businesses for specialized support.

Oversight & Accountability

Oversight will likely be managed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) contracting officers and program managers. The STREAMS IV contract vehicle itself may have established oversight mechanisms. Transparency is facilitated by the public nature of federal contract awards, but detailed programmatic oversight and accountability measures are internal to the agency and contractor. Inspector General jurisdiction would apply if any fraud, waste, or abuse is suspected.

Related Government Programs

STREAMS IV Contract Vehicle
Homeland Security Technology Research
Cybersecurity R&D Programs
EPA Research and Development Contracts

Risk Flags

Cost Overrun Risk (Time and Materials)
Scope Definition Uncertainty (R&D)
Performance Measurement Challenges (R&D)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is this federal contract paying for?

Environmental Protection Agency awarded $233,014 to RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE. NEW TASK ORDER UNDER STREAMS IV NEXT GENERATION TECHNOLOGIES FOR HOMELAND SECURITY AND CYBERSECURITY APPLICATIONS

Who is the contractor on this award?

The obligated recipient is RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE.

Which agency awarded this contract?

Awarding agency: Environmental Protection Agency (Environmental Protection Agency).

What is the total obligated amount?

The obligated amount is $233,014.

What is the period of performance?

Start: 2024-02-13. End: 2026-06-11.

What is the specific scope of work for this task order under STREAMS IV?

The provided data indicates this task order is for 'Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)' with a focus on 'Homeland Security and Cybersecurity Applications'. However, the precise details of the research projects, specific technologies to be developed, or the exact problems to be solved are not specified in the summary data. This level of detail is typically found in the Statement of Work (SOW) or Performance Work Statement (PWS) associated with the task order, which is not publicly available in this format. Understanding the SOW is crucial for evaluating the contract's objectives and expected outcomes.

How does the Time and Materials (T&M) pricing structure compare to other R&D contracts of similar scope?

Time and Materials (T&M) contracts are often used when the scope of work is not clearly defined or is expected to evolve, which can be common in R&D. Unlike fixed-price contracts, T&M reimburses the contractor for direct labor hours at specified hourly rates and for the actual cost of materials. While flexible, T&M contracts carry a higher risk of cost overruns for the government if not rigorously monitored. For R&D, fixed-price contracts might be preferred for well-defined research objectives, whereas T&M offers adaptability for exploratory or evolving research areas. The EPA's choice of T&M suggests a need for flexibility in this R&D effort, but necessitates strong oversight to control costs.

What is Research Triangle Institute's track record with federal R&D contracts, particularly in cybersecurity and homeland security?

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) is a well-established non-profit research institute with a long history of performing research and development for various U.S. government agencies, including defense, intelligence, health, and environmental sectors. RTI has a significant portfolio of contracts related to science and technology, engineering, and public policy. While specific contract details for homeland security and cybersecurity are not itemized in the provided data, RTI's broad expertise in scientific research and technology development suggests a strong capability to undertake such projects. A deeper dive into RTI's contract history with agencies like DHS, DOD, and NIST would provide more granular insights into their specific performance and experience in these critical domains.

What are the potential risks associated with a $233 million R&D contract awarded under a Time and Materials structure?

The primary risk with a $233 million T&M contract for R&D is cost control. Without a fixed ceiling or well-defined deliverables, the total cost can escalate beyond initial estimates if labor hours or material costs are not managed effectively. Scope creep is another significant risk; the flexible nature of T&M can lead to the project expanding beyond its original intent without adequate change control. Furthermore, ensuring the quality and relevance of the R&D outcomes can be challenging under T&M, as the focus might inadvertently shift towards maximizing billable hours rather than achieving specific research breakthroughs. Robust oversight, clear performance metrics, and regular reviews are essential to mitigate these risks.

How does this contract align with the EPA's broader mission and R&D priorities?

While the contract's primary focus is on homeland and cybersecurity applications, which might seem outside the EPA's traditional environmental mandate, federal agencies often collaborate on cross-cutting technological needs. The EPA invests in R&D to support its mission, which includes protecting human health and the environment. Advanced computing, data analytics, and secure information systems are increasingly vital for environmental monitoring, risk assessment, and disaster response. Therefore, R&D in cybersecurity could indirectly support the EPA's ability to protect sensitive environmental data, secure critical infrastructure related to environmental protection, or develop technologies for environmental security challenges. The specific alignment would depend on how homeland and cybersecurity R&D directly or indirectly supports EPA's strategic objectives.

Industry Classification

NAICS: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services › Scientific Research and Development Services › Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

Product/Service Code: SUPPORT SVCS (PROF, ADMIN, MGMT) › PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

Competition & Pricing

Extent Competed: FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

Solicitation Procedures: NEGOTIATED PROPOSAL/QUOTE

Solicitation ID: 68HERC24R0065

Pricing Type: TIME AND MATERIALS (Y)

Evaluated Preference: NONE

Contractor Details

Address: 3040 E CORNWALLIS RD, RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 27709

Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Tax Exempt, Nonprofit Organization, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations, U.S.-Owned Business

Financial Breakdown

Contract Ceiling: $408,770

Exercised Options: $233,014

Current Obligation: $233,014

Actual Outlays: $186,288

Subaward Activity

Number of Subawards: 1

Total Subaward Amount: $15,094

Contract Characteristics

Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES PROCEDURES NOT USED

Cost or Pricing Data: YES

Parent Contract

Parent Award PIID: 68HERC21D0004

IDV Type: IDC

Timeline